Module 4 - Activity 2

Using the pencil and paper test to demonstrate what we know or understand about a topic or lesson should be a thing of the past.  There are some many different things and ways that students can be assessed.  Assessment should be a continuous process not only a end result and different methods should be used to cater for the different abilities of our students.

Module 4 Activity 3

Diversity is important to both the teaching and learning process.  Using diverse methods of teaching strengthens what our students learn.  With the use of different teaching methods there also has to be different means of assessing to cater for the different abilities and strengths and weakness of the students.  A combination of different methods of teaching should be used in all lessons to cater for the multiple intelligences of the students in our classes.

Module 1 Activity 8

Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development is not only important for Educators to know but also parents and caregivers.  I think with a better understanding on the process of development of our children will help us to cater for their needs at their level.  This could also play an important role in identifying children who may have some form of developmental problem.  For instant a three year old child who is unable to pronounce common words clearly may indicate that child may have a speech problem.  Giving children an opportunity to discover information and then demonstrate what they know is very important.

Module 1 Activity 7

Collaborative Learning is very important approach to teaching and learning that should be incorporated in all classes.  It provides benefits to both learner and teachers.  These benefits include;
1.  learners participation and contribution to lessons
2.  provide opportunities for positive interaction between learners
3.  encourage learners to help and support their peers rather than compete with each other
4.  encourage learners to take responsibility for their own learning
5.  provide teachers with information to better plan for the varying abilities of their learners
6. stimulate and promote teacher professional development and growth
7.  reduces the amount of time teachers need for keeping learners focused on learning tasks.

Module 1 Activity 6

This activity focussed  on offering opportunities for verbalising and dialogue in our classes.  I have noted the following ways in which this could be accomplished.

1.  incorporating debates and discussions in the lesson
2.  the use of interactive games and activities
3.  providing opportunities for the learners to report on events
4.  associating lessons with past events and get them involve in the association
5.  allow them to do investigative research and report on their finding
6.  oral presentations
7.  peer teaching

Module 4 Activity 1

This activity opened my eyes on the assessment strategies that are used in my classes. Self reflection and evaluation is always an important aspect of the teaching and learning process.  As a teacher, we should be open and willing to make changes when we realize that they are necessary to improve the quality of education we provide our learners.  It is obvious to me from this activity that I need to make some changes in the assessment strategies to use a more varying means of assessment in my classes.

Module 1 Activity 5

It is clear that all stakeholders (parents, school, government agencies) should work together to assist learners overcome life difficulties.  This could be done through PTA groups, parenting training, monitoring and mentoring  groups that could provide support to not only the parents but the schools.  By providing the necessary support to our parents and schools con help to assist our learners with difficulties.  However before we can offer assistance we must first understand their difficulties, how to identify them and the approach to assist with them.